Judge delays release hearing for Highers brothers

Two Michigan brothers who have spent the past 25 years in prison on a murder conviction will have to wait longer to see if they'll be released on bond.

A judge in Detroit convicted Thomas and Raymond Highers of first-degree murder in the June 1987 death of 65-year-old Robert Karey, who was killed at his home near Detroit City Airport.

But the case was reopened when a witness, John Hielscher, came forward saying Karey's killers were black. The brothers are white.

Wayne County Circuit Judge Lawrence Talon ruled last week that the brothers will get a new trial.

Talon on Monday said the court didn't have all of the records it needed to review in order to make a final decision on whether the brothers would be allowed out while the new trial gets under way. He said it would be "reasonable, fair and pruddent" to review a pretrial services report, which wasn't completed yet.

Talon said he understood the brothers were anxious to find out if they'll be allowed to go home, but said, "Justice sometimes moves slowly. You can't rush it."

The next hearing is set for Aug. 13.

The defense had argued that the brothers had strong ties to the community and a handful of people who had offered to be responsible for them.

"Any additional days of incarceration are unfair and prejudicial to them," one attorney said.

Family wants brothers to come home

Local 4's Paula Tutman talked with the brothers' aunt and uncle, who have already set up a room with beds for them to come home to.